Today marks the official beginning of Laura Shovan’s 6th annual February Poetry Project. Each year, in celebration of her birthday month, Laura invites writers to join her in responding to a poetry prompt.(Thanks, Laura!!!) This year participants have signed up to share photos of art from within their homes. The task is then to write ekphrastic poems, which are poems inspired by or responding to works of art. The quick turn around time on these can be a bit cringe-inducing, but it’s all about writing, sharing and growing. (Or at least that’s what I tell myself!)
Since January 25th, there have been daily warm-up opportunities. It’s been challenging to keep up with writing and with reading all the shared poems, but it’s also been so rewarding. Here are a few of the poems I’ve created in response to a lovely variety of art.
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by fellow Mainer, Donna Smith, at her blog, Mainely Write. She’s sharing a bouquet of poetry postcards and you’ll find links to a whole garden of poetry. Enjoy!
Nix the comfort zone 
You are right about the quick turn around time. But the community is wonderful and inspiring with people like you. My favorite is your textile bird poem for its sass and whimsy. I hope we can continue to drag each other through this month with some semblance of good writing.
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Margaret, the community is wonderful! I’ve finally decided to relax a bit and if I post late, I post late. It’s supposed to be a nudge to write, not a punch! I’ve been so impressed with all the poems and love seeing the directions everyone takes. Such fun!
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This reinforces the notion that ideas exist in things Molly. I have used old black and white photographs in the past, but this idea has even broader application. Thank for sharing your personal inspiration. Loved the inner thoughts of the pewtered birds.
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I, also, love using my own photos to prompt poetry.This is my first try with ekphrastic poetry and I think the fact that the art is in the participating writers’ homes adds a lot to the fun.
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All so different! I was really feeling for those pewter owls … but I loved the sass of that bird with pulchritude!
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That one was especially fun to write 🙂
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Molly, your ekphrastic poems are all so varied. You saw something in the Lady in the Moon that I did not. Your last line made me look twice again at the image. My post will be forthcoming. I had implant surgery so I am exhausted tonight.
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Hope you have a swift recovery, Carol, and I look forward to reading your post later.
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Well done, Molly! Your approach to the owls is so clever! “Cringe-inducing” is exactly what the turn around time is, but Margaret’s comment is so true: I can’t imagine a more supportive and encouraging group of people! Happy writing!
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I realized that I was stressing out too much about posting each day. I’m just going to relax and enjoy and do the best I can. Let’s enjoy the ride together and then slide right into the March challenge! lol Oh, by the way, I loved reading your interview with Linda!
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I like the voices you’ve created, each distinct. Well done!
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Laura’s birthday celebrations are so much fun, but hold pressure, too, I agree. I’ve loved each one of your poems, Molly, but especially that new look at those owls!
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Thanks, Linda. Reading all the poems and comments is such fun (and I learn so much!) but it can be hard to keep up!
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It has been hectic trying to keep up with it all, but I’m learning so much and being inspired by the creativity. My favorite is the chicken poem. My chickens are tropical, but they would relate to the sassy!
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It was fun to channel a bit of sassy!
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I’m curious about that “inky tide”! It’s great how these exercises force you to take a close look and then let your imagination run wild!
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It’s fascinating to see all the places that one work of art can take us. I also find it interesting how sometimes it’s an immediate connection and then at other times I really struggle to connect.
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I see we both had the same idea! The first poem was touching, but I think my favorite is the 2nd – so fun and bouncy!
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Thanks, Matt. That sassy chicken was good company early on a Saturday morning.
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The gentle questioning of “Did it hurt” sounded to me like a soft refrain. Loved everything.
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Thanks, Myra!
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I love these poems, and love the process of writing Ekphrastic poetry. As a writer, you just never know where the art will take you. Your chicken poem is so rhythmic. Love attitude and pulcritude. My fave is the owl sculpture poem. It highlights the idea that transformation is often painful, but the sculpture carries the idea that transformation may bring us to a place of sanctuary- note the safety pin perch! Well done.
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Man, you’ve got sassy poultritude down, girl! I’d like to hire that chicken as my muse. I’m in the middle of my own personal poetry marathon, but hope to join in with you all later in the month.
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A sassy chicken muse–works for me! Good luck with your personal poetry marathon 🙂 and look forward to seeing you later this month!
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Loved reading your poems again, all together!
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Thanks, Donna!
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You’ve really shown your range here with these poems! And challenges are supposed to challenge a little bit, but not so much that writing loses its charm, so it’s OK if you’re a little late. 🙂
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I like that “sassy tropics chicken,” she’s definitely got punch. All very unique voices here–along with the strong challenge.
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